How to screenshot on an Acer laptop
Acer's function-row setting is called Function Key Behavior and sits on the very first BIOS screen — easier to reach than most brands.
The short answer
- Win + Shift + SWorks on every Acer
- Fn + PrtScIf a single press does nothing
- Win + PrtScSaves to Pictures › Screenshots
Acer laptops run Windows, so the standard Windows methods all apply. Acer's quirks are minor but worth knowing.
Function Key Behavior#
Acer's BIOS setting is named Function Key Behavior and has two values: Function Key (traditional labels primary) and Media Key (icons primary).
- Restart and tap F2 repeatedly during the Acer logo.
- On the Main tab, find Function Key Behavior.
- Set it to Function Key.
- F10 to save and exit.
Acer puts this on the first screen rather than burying it under Advanced, so it's a two-minute job.
Most Acer models don't offer an Fn+Esc lock. If there's no padlock printed on Esc, the BIOS route is your only permanent option — otherwise hold Fn each time.
Where the key sits#
Aspire. In the function row, printed PrtSc. Watch out on the 15-inch and 17-inch models: a numeric keypad shifts the whole row leftward, so the key is not at the physical edge of the keyboard.
Swift. Same position, shallower row, smaller printing. A few Swift models fold it onto the Insert cap.
Nitro and Predator. Present in the top row, but these gaming models ship with NitroSense or PredatorSense plus, usually, GeForce Experience. Any of those may claim the key for its own capture.
Chromebook models. Acer makes a lot of Chromebooks, and they work completely differently — no Print Screen key exists. Chromebook methods
The numeric keypad shift#
Worth a note because it genuinely causes wrong presses. On keypad-equipped Aspire models, muscle memory from a smaller laptop puts your finger on the wrong key — Print Screen is no longer at the far right of the top row, since the keypad's own top row occupies that space. Look for the label rather than the position.
NitroSense, PredatorSense and GPU overlays#
On Acer's gaming lines, the usual interception pattern applies: the key fires, something flashes, and Pictures › Screenshots stays empty because the image went into the overlay's own gallery. Check the overlay's hotkeys, and check Videos › Captures. Diagnostic steps
Acer Care Center#
Handles updates, diagnostics and backups. No screenshot feature. Windows' own tools are all you need.
Universal fallback#
Win+Shift+S on any Acer, in any function-row mode, with any overlay installed. Full guide
Questions people actually ask
Where is Print Screen on an Acer Aspire with a number pad?
Still in the top row, but not at the far right edge — the keypad pushes the layout across. Follow the row left from the keypad and look for the PrtSc label.
Does my Acer Chromebook take screenshots the same way?
No, completely differently. Chromebooks have no Print Screen key; use Ctrl plus the Show windows key. Chromebook guide.
Acer Care Center has no screenshot button. Is that right?
Yes. It's a maintenance app — drivers, diagnostics, recovery. Screenshots are handled by Windows on every Acer model.